A Message from Virgil Trucks’ Daughter to Autograph University Readers

byMatt RaymondonSeptember 4, 2013

In July we announced the inaugural Autograph University Class of 2013 honoring six athletes who have gone above and beyond to accommodate autograph collectors over the course of their careers. Earlier this year I asked you who we should include and Virgil Trucks was mentioned again and again. He clearly made an impact on fans, even those who never saw him take the mound during baseball’s golden age.

Trucks passed away at the age of 95 in March—only in his last few months was he not well enough to respond to mail—so I sent his diploma in care of his daughter, Carolyn. In my letter I explained his induction was a small token of appreciation on behalf of autograph seekers who had corresponded with her father for decades, collecting signatures and stories along the way. Mr. Trucks was an All-Star on the field and a legend off it.

Recently I received an email from Carolyn in response to receiving my package. I asked if I could share it with our readers and she agreed. Here’s her note:

Subject: Thank You

Matt,

I have just gotten home from a 6 week trip and that is the reason for the delay in writing this thank you note. Not sure the criteria for this award but I was thrilled to receive it. I know first hand how much Dad’s fans meant to him and it is such an honor to know that he has been recognized for something he absolutely loved doing.

Thank you again and I know my Dad would be so honored to see this award. I will frame it along with letter.

Sincerely,
Carolyn

These thanks are owed to you, the readers of Autograph University. After all, it’s because of you that Mr. Trucks was included in our Class of 2013. And let me append my own measure of gratitude to you for participating in this project. It was fun and it made an impact. Well done.

Have you received an autograph from Virgil Trucks? Leave a comment and share your story with us.

Well deserved. Great idea, Matt. Thanks for taking the time to do stuff like this. It may not seem like a big deal to some but to many of us it does. It may make a difference when a player feels unappreciated for signing or overwhelmed by requests.
Thanks Again,
Jeek

I have sent to many older players over the years and have got some nice letters from a handful. Mr. Trucks wrote me a nice letter last year along with signing my photos and including a few cards of his own signed. He’s always been great to collectors and will be remembered with other baseball greats like Johnny Pesky and Broadway Charlie Wagner who took to to sign my requests.